Advertisement

Charity warns 16% living below the poverty line despite improving economy

St Vincent de Paul has seen no drop in demand for its services – despite figures indicating...
Newstalk
Newstalk

14.14 14 Nov 2018


Share this article


Charity warns 16% living below...

Charity warns 16% living below the poverty line despite improving economy

Newstalk
Newstalk

14.14 14 Nov 2018


Share this article


St Vincent de Paul has seen no drop in demand for its services – despite figures indicating the economy is improving.

The charity is fielding around 1,000 calls a day from people in need as the Christmas season approaches.

It said volunteers visited around 50,000 families last year – noting that it expects to visit at least the same amount this year.

Advertisement

The charity’s national president Kieran Stafford said the headline economic figures have made little difference to struggling families around the country.

“Unfortunately the people that we are visiting and helping, there is no end in sight for the difficulties they are experiencing,” he said.

“People are struggling; they are cutting back in other areas so they can keep the roof over their head – which is the number one priority for most people we would have experience of.”

He said 16% of people in Ireland are living below the poverty line – and warned that struggling families are “going to moneylenders and borrowing from family members” ahead of the festive season.

“People are making cut-backs – parents are denying themselves food just so they can provide just the very basics to make Christmas some way special for their children.”

Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy launched the charity’s Christmas appeal this morning, with the help of primary school students from around the country.

The charity is asking the public to support its work in any way they can over the festive season.

You can support the charity by visiting www.svp.ie/appeal.


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular